How do I setup an Innovation Programme in a large organisation?

Our organisation is large, and quite conservative. How do I go about setting up a new innovation programme?

Summary

First you need to make a business case for an innovation programme. This can be helped by presenting what the future looks like without an innovation programme, plus setting out the approach to launching one.

However you approach the challenge, the basic ingredients are the same: You will need to secure personnel and resources so that your staff can spend time, regularly, in a supported environment on innovation.

5 Things to AVOID,.. and what to do instead:

AVOID letting staff do what the hell they want. Set a challenge with a simple question: “How might we …?”

AVOID one-off innovation events. The activity must be regular and often.

AVOID putting detailed requirements on “the innovation”. The challenge must be open.

AVOID putting pressure on staff to create “The answer to all our woes”. They must feel safe and unpressurised.

AVOID letting your staff draw pretty pictures of ideas that rely on MAGIC DUST. The focus must be on tangibleworking prototypes.